How To Avoid Making The Most Common Mumpreneur Mistakes

When starting a business while also working at the roles of ‘wife’ and ‘mother’ it can feel like you have no time at all, like there just aren’t enough hours in the day!

The reality is, we are unlikely to ever find enough hours in the day. As a mumma and founder of two businesses, here are my tried and tested keys to making my days flow better:

Understand the sacrifices

You will have to sacrifice something in the early days, for example, time and money. No one tells you this, but it’s true. There’s no way around it: motherhood and entrepreneurship at the same time is doable, but it’s hard.

Get clear on your values and why you are doing this. After six years in the tech space, and falling pregnant last year with my son Zac, I got crystal clear on my passion. If I was going to spend any time away from him, I knew I had to be doing something that fulfilled me at a core level, and was worthwhile. For me that was helping women get started in the tech space. I didn’t want others to make the same mistakes I did when I started my technology businesses.

Enlist help

Everyone wants to be the best wife, the best mum, the best business owner, but here’s the hard truth: you can’t do it all. Don’t feel guilty, no one can. And you shouldn’t have to. Delegate your lower priority tasks and work only on what needs your direct attention.

Hire a cleaner if you need to, shop online, use a pre-prepared meal delivery service, and order services to come to your door. These types of services are there for your convenience – use them!

Make time

Self-care is just as important as anything else. Schedule some in so that you can recharge and refuel. As a mum and an entrepreneur, you have so much you need to give, and you can’t run on empty.

What makes you happy? Reading? Music? Watching the sunrise? Whatever it is, make time for it. Quality time is essential and you’ll regret it if you don’t take it. Things that make you happy will get you into a better headspace, which can only improve your business.

Exercise can also be a great way to clear your mind and take care of your body. Whatever you like doing – yoga, Pilates, jogging – it’s an effective preventative strategy against mental and physical exhaustion. Bonus points if you can fit in a juice with a friend!

As well as self-care, you need to make time for your relationships. Make sure you take the time to be with your partner and your kids, as well as your friends. Everyone needs their social life, otherwise we can go a bit loopy. Even better, make it something regular – once a week or once every fortnight – that way you have something to look forward to each week.

Define success and celebrate your wins

You define what success looks like. Everyone has their own version of it and you shouldn’t feel pressured to fit with other people believe it should look like. Getting yourself clear on what success looks like for you helps you not compare yourself to others, which is a really unhealthy and unhelpful habit. Win at your own game!

Once you’ve defined your success, celebrate every win. I do this every week with my team, because in a start-up you’re always working towards the next thing. It’s important to take stock and see how far you’ve come. It will give you the motivation and energy for the week ahead.

Work smarter, not harder

Yes, you’ll need to work hard, but don’t work yourself to the bone. Rather than trying to grow your brand by yourself, create partnerships, tap into communities, and partner with them. Are there offers or strategies you can work on together?

Maximise your time by being present in everything that you’re doing. Whether that’s working, or spending time with your little ones. No emails or phone calls during family time, and no distractions during work time. This helps you make the most of every minute without overloading you.

Being a Mumpreneur means that you can run your own business on your own terms. So be deliberate in making it work for you so it serves your lifestyle based on your time, family role, and long-term goals. And congratulate yourself for having the guts to do that!

Are you the ‘non-tech’ type but want to step confidently into the tech space? Check out the Tech Ready Program, an 8-week accelerator.

Christie is an entrepreneur and mentor in the Australian tech space. Christie is also CEO of Hatching Lab—an innovation and tech partner to startups and corporates and co-founder of Poppy Renegade—a movement to empower women to stand tall in all facets of life. Christie is dedicated to empowering and educating women in startups, tech and innovation. In 2016 she was recognised as one of the Top 50 Women in Tech by Startup Daily.

Hi! I'm Eva, a busy mum of two young children and a freelance copywriter and social media manager. Since being diagnosed with Bipolar and Anxiety Disorder in 2017, I've been on a quest to live a lifestyle that supports my mental health. It is this quest that lead me to changing the focus of TMW to a blog about self-care and wellbeing for busy women. Through TMW I aim to encourage busy women to fill their cup first amongst the juggling of family, work and relationships, in order to achieve their goals and dreams. TMW is all about you and I hope you enjoy it.